Cars' scars reveal auto fires as arson

Dec. 26, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 8

Ed Clark of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group in Corona sprays water on a fire that was set, demonstrating the flash point for a convection heat source on a car's bucket seat. The California Conference of Arson Investigators was holding a class for fire department investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Allen Mayea of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group starts a fire by applying extreme heat on the underside of a car's hood during a demonstration for fire department investigators in a class sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Allen Mayea, right, of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group examines a car's hood with fire department investigators after having set the hood on fire. The demonstration was for a class sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Steel wool burns after both poles of a 9-volt battery came into contact with the steel wool. The demonstration by Allen Mayea of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group was for a class sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators for fire department investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Fire department investigators watch a gasoline fire burn during a demonstration at a California Conference of Arson Investigators class in Corona. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Dr. John DeHaan, a fire and explosion forensic scientist, guest lectures during a class sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators for fire department investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Ed Clark, left, and Allen Mayea of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group in Corona start a fire on a car's bucket seat using a convection heat source. The demonstration was for a class sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators for fire department investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 8

Allen Mayea pours gasoline in a shallow tray as he prepares to debunk the idea that a lighted cigarette thrown into a pool of gasoline will cause an explosion. The gasoline put the cigarette out before causing any fire. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Ed Clark of Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group in Corona sprays water on a fire that was set, demonstrating the flash point for a convection heat source on a car's bucket seat. The California Conference of Arson Investigators was holding a class for fire department investigators. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Fire torched a line of parked cars, as well as a nearby building. Within the smoking mess, however, investigators honed in on discoloration on the doors of a charred shell that was once a 2010 Honda Accord. The fire didn't spread to this car; it had started inside it.

Dotting on the exterior and the size of paint bubbles confirmed that the fire began near the driver's seat before moving through the engine. Soot covered the inside of shattered glass from the driver's side window. The scent of gasoline filled the cabin, and forensic tests later confirmed the liquid's presence throughout the interior. The fire didn't just start here, it had been intentionally set.

"The whole story's there," said Mayea, who is also a certified mechanic.

The burned vehicle now serves as a teaching aid in Pacific Rim's lot in Corona. There, firefighters, representatives from insurance companies and others recently brushed up on their fire investigation skills at a presentation through the California Conference of Arson Investigators.

Around the country, the National Fire Protection Association reported about 8 percent of vehicle fires from 2003 to 2007 as arson. In 2012, the Orange County Fire Authority responded to 291 accidental vehicle fires and 18 that were determined to be intentionally set.

Often, the motivation is insurance fraud, said Capt. Marc Stone of the Fire Authority.

"Fire investigators have found several occasions where a vehicle owner has had financial problems and decided to burn their own vehicle for the financial gain," Stone said.

FRAUD COSTS CONSUMERS

Stone added that there's a misconception that it's a victimless crime. In fact, fraud leads to an increase in insurance costs for all customers, he said.

Those who burn their property seeking financial gain frequently don't have a criminal history. Insurance fraud and arson, however, are both felonies. Convicted arsonists must also register with the state for life.

"They are frequently average, otherwise law-abiding people who made a very bad decision," Stone said. "Unfortunately, that single bad decision can lead to severe consequences."

In recent years, some investigators have seen intentionally set fires on the rise as gas prices have gone up.

"Arson fires increase based on fuel economy and price of gasoline," Mayea said.

In some cases, owners behind on payments and unable to sell their gas guzzlers begin to look for a way to send their problem up in smoke. There's an unfortunate misconception that it's a quick and easy crime that will lead to an insurance company payout, Mayea said.

"Our job is to hunt the truth," he said.

In actuality, investigators have a 90 percent success rate in proving arson. And insurance companies are willing to pay more than a car is worth to determine the cause of a fire, whether it was intentionally set or because of mechanical failure.

"What they want to know is what really happened, so they can avoid it again," he said.

FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

During the daylong class, Mayea drilled attendees on ways to generate heat and methods by which it spreads. In demonstrations and two burned-out example vehicles, students pointed out radiant heat, convection and other fire basics.

"Fire investigation is the same principles over and over and over," Mayea said.

Among those watching the demonstrations were automotive experts, representatives from the insurance industry, a bomb squad officer and firefighters from several local departments. Meeting a variety of professionals working in the fire investigation field was the most helpful aspect of the class, said Xente Baker, a fire investigator with the Corona Fire Department.

"There's a potential for all of us to come together in a court setting," he said.

Orange-based attorney Andrew De La Flor was surprised with the information that could be learned from the various colors and patterns of burned areas. With knowledge he gained, he said, he hopes to better prepare for any cases involving car fires.

"I can read a report and have some idea of if it's a good, thorough report," he said. "I need to be as well-versed as I can in a field like this to confidently represent my clients."

Criminalist John De Haan of Vallejo attended the class as a student in spite of his 40 years of experience in fire investigation. You can never stop learning, he said, and modern cars are constantly incorporating new materials and technology.

One thing hasn't changed, he said: "Good investigators still can reliably determine when a vehicle fire has been set."

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.